Propulsion Engineer (Raptor Final Assembly & Tube Shop)

SpaceX; Hawthorne (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock options

Long-term incentives

Discretionary bonuses

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Medical, vision, dental coverage

401(k) retirement plan

Paid parental leave

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Paid sick leave

Job summary

SpaceX is seeking a Propulsion Engineer for the Raptor Final Assembly & Tube Shop to oversee build and test processes and drive high-volume production excellence. You will develop, qualify, and refine assembly methods while collaborating with design, build and reliability teams to ensure performance and schedule adherence.

The role requires a mechanical/ aerospace/manufacturing engineering background with hands-on experience in manufacturing, DFMA, PFMEA, and tooling design.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering (required).
• 1+ years of mechanical design and manufacturing experience from industry or student projects (Formula SAE, Baja SAE, Design Build Fly).
• Experience with fluid and electrical systems, interpreting schematics, and documentation.
• Experience writing test plans, procedures, and go/no-go judgments.
• Experience taking products from development to full-volume production.
• Knowledge of machining, welding, drilling, and automation processes.
• Familiar with Design for Manufacturability and Assembly (DFMA).
• Experience with PFMEA and error-proofing (poka-yoke).

Responsibilities

• Oversee build and test processes for Raptor final assembly and Tube Shop.
• Develop, qualify, and refine assembly processes for high-volume engine production.
• Collaborate with design, build, reliability, and manufacturing teams to meet schedules.
• Develop standards to reduce assembly burden and implement robust requirements.
• Resolve build issues and perform root cause analysis with corrective actions.
• Design tooling for new and existing products to support rate production.
• Streamline production to reduce cost while improving quality and efficiency.
• Create standard troubleshooting guides and repair procedures.

Skills

Mechanical design

Manufacturing experience

NX CAD

GD&T

DFMA

Process development

PFMEA

Test plan design

Root cause analysis

Automation basics

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering

Tools

NX CAD

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.

PROPULSION ENGINEER – RAPTOR FINAL ASSEMBLY & TUBE SHOP

Responsibilities

• Responsible for overseeing the build and test processes for the Raptor final assembly & Tube Shop production area
• Develop, qualify, and refine assembly processes to enable high volume production of engines
• Think creatively; question the status quo; challenge engineering and manufacturing requirements to drive efficient production of Raptor engines on schedule through collaboration with a multidisciplinary team of engineers (design, build, and reliability), internal production teams, and external vendors
• Work with design engineering to develop design and manufacturing standards that reduce final assembly burden; implement a maintainable and lasting system of reasonable and powerful requirements
• Resolve build issues, disposition nonconforming conditions, perform root cause analysis, and implement robust corrective actions
• Extreme owner oftooling design, fabrication, qualification and improvement, based on analysis and data
• Design tooling for new and existing products to support rate production
• Streamline existing production builds to minimize cost while improving quality and efficiency
• Implement standard practices, troubleshooting guides, and standard repair procedures, including review and approval of planning documents

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, aerospace, or manufacturing engineering
• 1+ years of mechanical design and manufacturing experience from either industry or collegiate engineering projects such as Formula SAE, Baja SAE, or Design Build Fly

Preferred Skills And Experience

• Experience with the building and testing of fluid and electrical systems, and interpreting schematics
• Documentation and configuration management experience
• Experience writing test plans, procedures and providing go/no-go judgment and rationale
• Experience taking products through development cycle to full volume production
• Solid understanding of a variety of manufacturing processes, including machining, welding, drilling, and automation
• Ability to work with minimal supervision
• Experience with Design for Manufacturability and Assembly
• Experience with NX (UG or equivalent) CAD and geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T) for component and tooling design
• Process development, facility and line layouts
• Experience in process development, value stream layout, PFMEA, and error proofing

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work directly with the hardware on the floor for extended periods of time
• Position may require extended hours and weekend work

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Pay Range

Level 1: $100,000.00 - $130,000.00

Level 2: $115,000.00 - $160,000.00

Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.

Itar Requirements

• To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C.1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C.1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX’s Affinatitive Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to [e-mail].